Cuban with I-220A Seeks Community Help After Losing Wallet in Hialeah

A Cuban immigrant named Lenier Hernández, who holds an I-220A immigration document, has lost his wallet near the Larkin Hospital in Hialeah and is reaching out to the community for assistance in retrieving it. Javier Díaz, a journalist and anchor at Univision 23 in Miami, spread the word through his social media channels.

Essential Documents at Stake

Lenier isn't concerned about cash or other valuables that might have been in the wallet. His main worry is recovering his valid driver's license and work permit. "The man does not need any other valuables, just his documents which are crucial in these times," Javier Díaz stated in his post.

Lenier suspects he lost the wallet in the emergency room area of the Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus in Hialeah, Florida, which operates 24/7.

Anyone who finds it can contact Lenier at 786-916-0239.

The Challenges of Replacing Key Documents

For Cubans with an I-220A, keeping a valid work permit—known as an EAD—and a Florida driver's license is a challenging and expensive endeavor. The I-220A is a supervised release order issued by ICE that allows individuals to remain out of custody while their immigration case is pending, but it does not equate to parole or confer any immigration status.

The EAD is processed using the Form I-765 through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and must be renewed before it expires. After October 30, 2025, most categories will no longer receive automatic extensions, increasing the risk of being without work authorization during the replacement process.

The Florida driver's license for individuals without permanent residency usually remains valid for just a year. Losing these physical documents can leave someone unable to legally work or drive for weeks or even months, while they navigate a slow and demanding bureaucracy. According to El País, it's estimated that half a million Cubans in the U.S. face this immigration situation.

Those in similar situations have found that renewing a driver's license with an I-220A involves presenting the official USCIS receipt for the I-765, the previous EAD, the past license, and other documents.

Community Support and Response

Javier Díaz's post sparked a wave of support among readers, who shared the call and provided practical suggestions for helping Lenier.

"May God intervene so the finder returns it, as these documents are very tough to replace," commented Dayra Quiñones.

Another user urged directly, "Please, if someone found it, kindly contact the owner."

Others offered actionable advice. "Go to the hospital, maybe someone turned it in there," suggested one user, while another noted, "Perhaps a nearby camera could help."

Sporadically, critical or mocking comments appeared but were overshadowed by the prevailing sense of empathy and solidarity in the discussion.

Hopeful for a Resolution

Lenier himself joined the conversation to express gratitude for the support and his hope for the return of his documents.

"Thank you all for your support. I hope and trust in God that they will be returned to me," he wrote.

This isn't the first time the Cuban community in South Florida has rallied in similar circumstances. Earlier this year, another Cuban found a green card on the street and sought help to return it to its owner, a gesture that also elicited a strong community response.